Bedside... Really?

Specialties CNM

Published

Hey guys!

Do any of you all know of a CNM program that does not require one to be an RN first or do bedside nursing? After doing a lot of research, I really don't think bedside nursing is for me. However, I really want to become a CNM and would also like to work as a women's health NP. Everything that I have read seems to require bedside experience.

Thanks for any info/opinions!

I have a question similar to this. I know some programs will let you enter without having specific L&D or Women's health experience, but would say experience in LTC be appropriate?

A lot of the programs I have spoken with will accept students with any hospital experience. They understand that L&D units are really hard to get into. Also, Georgetown told me that they will not penalize an applicant for doing an ADN then bridging to BSN; but they do prefer that the applicant went through a traditional BSN program.

Take a look at Frontier Nursing University --the birthplace of nurse midwifery in the US. Their Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner program maybe what you are looking for.. Programs are distance education.

Thank you for the info! I have narrowed it down to either Frontier or Georgetown. Since I am still working on my BSN, I am going to stay open to which grad school to go to. I also spoke with my nursing adviser this morning and she too mentioned Frontier. She also broke things down and explained, in more detail, why getting experience and feeling comfortable with bedside nursing would be important.

I am a student nurse in a very competitive CNM/WHNP masters entry program. I LOVE bedside nursing. Bedside nursing has given me a deeper understanding about how the body works that will incredibly enhance my advanced practice skills. I don't just learn about diseases and complications from a book....I see them...lots of them, in every shape and form, every single day. Seeing what can go wrong with the body teaches me how to pick up on subtle cues and develop better critical thinking and intuitive skills. Spending time with people helps me identify changes in their condition. I can't imagine being in a position to have more "power" over care without developing such IMPORTANT, critical, skills... I actually think not having such bedside experience could be really dangerous for my future patients. Another important thing is that women's health really means the health of a family. If you have no direct experience with women, children, babies, partners, it is difficult to be a comprehensive provider. I know that whatever a woman is going through, perhaps even that a loved one is dying in her family, that I have been in a similar experience, that I have been at the bedside of a palliative or hospice care patient and can have a better understanding of my patients' experiences and the impact those experiences have on their health. I know I am going all over the map here with what I'm trying to say....but to sum it up, bedside nursing has been one of the best and impacting experiences of my life and even though I am going to be a CNM I have decided to still hold a medical/surgical bedside position because I love it so much.

Specializes in critical care.

Who knows, I may find that I love bedside nursing once I start!

It happened to me. I started nursing school thinking I would either be a CNM or a psych NP.... Turns out my favorite clinicals were gerontology and intensive care! I still plan on becoming an NP someday, because bedside nursing can be rough, for sure, but I'm definitely looking forward to starting my career at the bedside.

You have options, like direct entry NP programs (assuming you already have a bachelors). These programs are extremely competitive and challenging, though, so be warned. I am doing a direct entry NP program, although my specialty is not midwifery. HOWEVER - I gotta say, do not diss bedside nursing. It's highly challenging and rigorous in its own right. I have a lot of respect for my nursing preceptors (I'm in the RN portion of my program right now), they know so much and I feel really fortunate to work with them and glean information. My end-goal is NP in my specific specialty, so direct entry NP makes sense for me. However, really, don't knock bedside nursing. It's hard work, takes a lot of skill and intelligence, and it's challenging to learn (especially in 12 months - my program is accelerated).

OHSU for one has a BSN/CNM program very competitive. Its one of the few direct entry masters that doesn't require experience. Depending on the state you live in and why you value the midwifery part-- you may want to "just" be a midwife. They generally work in birthing centers and don't follow the kids all that long after birth. They run the show and don't report to doctors. You have the option of being needed in many different types of communities and population groups-- but aren't in the hospital. The hours are crazy and I doubt they make buck... But I'm curious why you aren't interested in that route.[/quote']

CNMs do not always practice independently. In fact, many, if not most, work in hospitals and are often part of group practices that include OBs who can be called in for consults if a patient becomes high-risk or needs a cesarean. I don't know of any CNMs without OB back-up. They do lifetime women's healthcare, too (annual exams, birth control, general gyn care, etc.), though some may limit their practice more if they have a birth center or home birth-centered practice. Also, their compensation is usually at least comparable to other advanced practice nurses, depending on the region, of course.

Specializes in Eventually Midwifery.

You should be aware that Frontier NU does require either 1 year experience as an RN, or comparable experience working as a doula, certified lactation consultant, or birth educator. Philadelphia University has an online Masters in Nurse Midwifery that does not require experience, but does require that you be a RN with an active license in your state.

LOL - that's like making up your mind never to board an airplane after watching an airline disaster movie! Anyone with an iota of critical thinking capability would never utilize crowd-sourcing as their primary information route. Sheesh. There's just too much to "correct me if I am wrong".

BEST POST EVER.. May I quote you on the CRNA forum?

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